Support from across the adoption sector for First4Adoption

5 April 2013

There has been support from across the adoption sector welcoming the launch of First4Adoption’s new website today.

The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS), Adoption UK, the British Association for Fostering and Adoption (BAAF) and the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies (CVAA)  have welcomed ‘First4Adoption’ as the next step in a raft of adoption reforms.

Matt Dunkley, former ADCS President and a member of the Government’s implementation group commented:
“It is clear that joint working between local authorities and voluntary adoption agencies is a positive and productive way forward to increase the number of adopters available. The Adoption Gateway  (First4Adoption) is just one way that adoption processes are being reformed in order to make sure that every child for whom adoption is the right answer is able to find a loving and permanent family.

Chris Smith, Director of Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies (CVAA),  added:
“We recognised that getting started on the adoption journey can prove challenging; individuals may not know where to go for information about the process, how to find out about the range of children awaiting adoption, what are the similarities and the differences in the services which both voluntary adoption agencies and local authorities offer.
CVAA will urge all Voluntary Adoption Agencies to promote the First4Adoption gateway as an invaluable resource for prospective adopters, alongside assuring that any adopters who approach their local voluntary adoption agency directly receive an informed, professional and welcoming response.

Shuna Kennedy, Director, British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) says:  “With such a desperate need for more adopters, First4Adoption can only be considered a very positive initiative.  To have a resource where those thinking about adoption can quickly and easily get professional help and information about the adoption process, and where and how to apply, will surely encourage more people to take that very important first step towards giving a child or children a safe, permanent and loving home through adoption.”

In addition, Hugh Thornbery, Chief Executive of Adoption UK, the charity which along with Coram Children’s Legal Centre and Coram is running First4Adoption, said: “For over 40 years Adoption UK have been offering support to those embarking on their adoption journey and we know that too many can lose heart at an early stage.  This is why we welcome the development of First4Adoptoin, the National Adoption Gateway, and we have been hugely encouraged by the unwavering support for this development from colleagues across the Department for Education, local authority children’s services and the voluntary adoption sector.”

Notes:

  • The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) Ltd is the professional leadership association for Directors of Children’s Services and their senior management teams in England.
  • The Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies (CVAA) is a membership organisation for the Voluntary Adoption Agencies in the UK.
  • Adoption UK is a national charity run by and for adopters, providing self-help information, advice, support and training on all aspects of adoption and adoptive parenting.
  • BAAF is the UK’s leading charity for children separated from their birth families, providing services to meet the needs of some of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

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